Container closure



G. E. BENNETT CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Sept. 28. 1935 April 9, 1935.

Patented. Apr. 9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF cE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to a container closure. and more particularly to improvements in demountable container caps.

It is among the objects of myinvention to provide a cap construction embodying means for readily loosening the cap prior to its removal.

Another object of my invention is to provide -means by which the cap may be loosened without damagingthe cap or impairing its utility as a subsequent closure for the container.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage,some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forthin the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing: a

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the container closure embodying my invention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a detail view showing the spacing element employed in .the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2. I 1

Figure 4 is a side view, also partly in section and partly in elevation, showing a modified form of my closure construction; and

Figure 5 is a detail view showing the spacing element employed in the same.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing another form of container closure embodying my invention. portions of the capbeing broken away to iilustrate the construction more clearly; and v Figure '7 is a detail view of the spacing element employed in the same.

In terms of broad inclusion, the container closure embodying my invention comprises a cap 'on the container, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and container and mounted for removal independently of the cap, whereby the sealing pressure of thecap may be reor liner 6 of suitable material, such asflbre, is

provided in the cap 2. This disc provides a cover for the container opening and also functions as a gasket between the container and the holding element or cap 2.

Means are provided for loosening the cap prior to its removal. This is preferably in the nature of a fan-shaped spacing element I having flange portions 8 interposed between the cap flange 5 and the rim of the cover disc 6. The central portion of the spacing element is disposed in the cap aperture l, and is preferably elevated as shown in Figure 1. Removal of the spacing element 1 is efiected by prying it out with a suitable tool, such as an ice pick. An aperture 9 in the central portion of the spacing element provides a convenient opening for inserting the tool, but the central portion may be left imperforate and the tool insertedbetween the flanges. I

The spacing. element of course is pulled out bodily through the cap aperture 4, and may be thrown away. After removing the spacing element the sealing pressure applied against the disc 6 by the cap 2 is relieved, and the cap is thereby loosened so as to freely unscrew. In subsequent use of the closure the cap flange 5 bears directly against the disc or cap liner 6.

The flanges 6 of the spacing element- I are preferably provided with outtumed ridges or beads H to aflord a yieldable bearing element between the cap and sealing disc. These beads assist in removing the spacing element, since they tend to straighten out and permit ready withdrawal of the flanges 8.

Instead of providing the ridges or beads on the flanges of the spacing element they may be provided in the flange 5 of the cap 2. This is illustrated in the modified form of my construction shown in Figure 4. The provision of a head It around the edge of the opening strengthens the cap against distortion and also provides a convenient fulcrum for the prying tool. This bead may, if desired, be incorporated in the cap structure shown in Figure 1. A detail of the spacing element employed in this construction is shown in Figure 5.

Another modification of my invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7.- In this case the spacer comprises a spiral-shaped element having a flange portion l2 and an apertured central or tab portion l3. Inthis construction a bead may be formed in either the flange of the spacing ele-' ment or in the flange of the cap.

The first opening of a container oifers the greatest resistance, since the cap is tightly applied when the commodity is packed. At such time the spacer comprisesa part of my closure assembly and is available for loosening the cap. After the initial opening a cap is rarely diflicult to unscrew, and the cap 2 and liner 6 without the spacing element provide a complete and suitable closure. v

I claim:

1. A container'closure comprising a cap on the container and having a top comprising an annular flange portion, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and container and adapted for removal through the cap top between the edges of said flange.

2. A container closure comprising a cap on the container and having a top comprising an annular flange portion, a gasket between the cap and container, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and gasket and adapted for removal through the cap top between the edges of said flange.

3. A container closure comprising a cap threaded on the container and having a top comprising an annular flange portion, a gasket between the cap and container, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and gasket and adapted for removal through the cap top between the edges of said flange.

4. A container closure comprising an apertured cap on the container, and a spacing element releasably held between the cap and container and having portions exposed by said aperture.

5. A container closure comprising an apertured cap on the container, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and container movable bodily through said aperture.

6. A container closure comprising an apertured cap on the container, a coverplate seated on the container and interposed between the cap and container to provide a gasket, and a spacing element between thecap and plate and removable bodily through said aperture.

7. A container closure comprising a cap having a top comprising an annular flange portion, a

and i'eliner for. the cap, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and liner and adapted for removal through the cap top between the edges or said flange.

8. A container closure comprising an apertured I cap, a liner for the cap, and a spacing element interposed between the cap and liner and removable bodily through said aperture.

9. A container closure comprising a gasket, a Q

between the cap and gasket and adapted for re-- moval through the cap top between the edges 01' said flange, whereby the pressure applied-by the cap may be relieved to loosen the cap prior to its removal.

10. A container closure comprising a sealing element, a clamping element detachablv' mounted on the container and having spaced flange portions for applying pressure to the sealing element, and a spacing element interposed between the sealing and clamping elements and mounted for removal. between the flange portions and independently of said latter elements.

11. A container closure comprising an apertured cap on the container, a flange on the cap about said aperture, a spacing element having a portion exposed by said aperture and having a flange portion interposed between the cap flange and the container.

12. A container closure comprising an apertured cap on the container, a flange on the cap about said aperture, a spacing element having a portion exposed by said aperture and having a flange portion interposed between the cap flange and-the container, one of said flanges being resilient to provide a yieldable bearing pressure against the container.

GEORGE E. BENNETT. 40 

